ViofoA129 Duo or Street Guardian SG9663DC?

RonB256

RonB256

New Member
Joined
Nov 12, 2018
Messages
23
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22
Location
Trinity, Alabama
Country
United States
Dash Cam
SG9663DC
#1
Looking to buy my first camera and without regrets. I know there is a price difference until you start adding in memory and filter, then it starts getting pretty close. Love the fact that SG is very involved with this site. Bring a Christmas present, budget is a big concern.
 
The SG do carry a steeper price in comparison, but with that you also get a extended and iron clad warranty, and their service are top notch, + the guys also seem to be good at giving current customers a good deal if the want to get a newer product or a out of warranty older product have failed.
On the other hand the A129 duo also appear to be performing okay, and you can also buy it in the US from a reputable seller. But i don't have any personal experience with the brand / model.
 
So, I pulled the trigger on the SG . I want to thank John with Street Guardian for helping make this possible. I called SG with a question and I am impressed with the customer service
 
RonB256 said:
...I am impressed with the customer service
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One thing that differs SG from many other companies is customer service does not stop at the point of sale. You'll get the same as long as you own the product - and likely even after that.
 
As per pricing on Amazon.com DC with a 64GB card and one CPL is for $290, so $275 without a card, add $30 for HW kit. A129 with the HW kit and one CPL totals up to 190 - $200.

Assuming amazon sellers provide one year warranty with the A129, spending 1/3rd more for far superior pre + post sales support and hassle free warranty that lasts at least twice as long, IMO is worth it.
 
IMO buying a hardwire kit is silly. All you have to do is take apart the power plug and use an add-a-fuse. I believe I made the right choice.
 
RonB256 said:
IMO buying a hardwire kit is silly. All you have to do is take apart the power plug and use an add-a-fuse. I believe I made the right choice.
Click to expand...
IMO your comment was stupid. You go right ahead and cut the head off a plug and wire it directly and then tell us all the story how your camera started smoking for no reason and how you left the information out that you cut the head off. Guess you don't realize is that a lot of dash cams are 5v so if you cut the head off you will be wiring 12v directly.

Sent from my SM-G965U using Tapatalk
 
RonB256 said:
IMO buying a hardwire kit is silly. All you have to do is take apart the power plug and use an add-a-fuse. I believe I made the right choice.
Click to expand...

the hardwire kit we sell is just for parking mode, if you don't need that then the standard power supply is fine for hardwiring

Nowuseeme said:
IMO your comment was stupid. You go right ahead and cut the head off a plug and wire it directly and then tell us all the story how your camera started smoking for no reason and how you left the information out that you cut the head off. Guess you don't realize is that a lot of dash cams are 5v so if you cut the head off you will be wiring 12v directly.
Click to expand...

he can go right ahead and cut the plug off, we don't put the power supply in the cig plug specifically so it can be cutoff for hardwiring without having to buy something else, the power supply is in the cable about 50cm from the cig plug
 
I wish everyone did the ciggie PS's the way SG does. Less bulk at the plug and an instant 'hardwire kit' if you want to use it that way. It just makes good sense, and that's simply how SG does everything.

Phil
 
jokiin said:
the hardwire kit we sell is just for parking mode, if you don't need that then the standard power supply is fine for hardwiring

he can go right ahead and cut the plug off, we don't put the power supply in the cig plug specifically so it can be cutoff for hardwiring without having to buy something else, the power supply is in the cable about 50cm from the cig plug
Click to expand...
Does this approach provide battery voltage cutoff?
 
No but this would only be for an accessory switched hardwire install, otherwise you would use the dedicated hardwire kit so that it changed modes when parked
 
jokiin said:
No but this would only be for an accessory switched hardwire install, otherwise you would use the dedicated hardwire kit so that it changed modes when parked
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Thanks. Just seeking to clarify, since the OP said a hardwire kit was silly and he only had to cut the cable. It's not quite the same result.
 
TonyM said:
Thanks. Just seeking to clarify, since the OP said a hardwire kit was silly and he only had to cut the cable. It's not quite the same result.
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would depend what he was trying to achieve, for hardwiring it's fine, for hardwiring to get parking mode it's not, even if it had a voltage cutoff it still wouldn't have parking mode using the two wire power supply, it would just run all the time, certainly don't want to do that
 
]
Nowuseeme said:
IMO your comment was stupid. You go right ahead and cut the head off a plug and wire it directly and then tell us all the story how your camera started smoking for no reason and how you left the information out that you cut the head off. Guess you don't realize is that a lot of dash cams are 5v so if you cut the head off you will be wiring 12v directly.

Sent from my SM-G965U using Tapatalk
Click to expand...



I was well aware of exactly what the cam takes (5Volts), what the plug supplies (12 volts), and the consequences of excessive voltage. I had viewed another post where a member asked SG's thoughts were on it and that such actions were acceptable.
I really don't think MY comment was stupid.
 
Yeah have to be mindful of the 2 ways / reasons to hard wire.
1. For zero cable clutter and a available cigarette lighter plug.
2. For parking mode + above.

There are no stupid questions, at least if you refer from asking the same thing over and over and expect different results ( to quote Einstein )
I have made a RPLY to the same question in here many times over the years, it can be a little aggravating at times, but then again i can just leave it and let another helpful person in here pick up the ball.
 
Harsh said:
As per pricing on Amazon.com DC with a 64GB card and one CPL is for $290, so $275 without a card, add $30 for HW kit. A129 with the HW kit and one CPL totals up to 190 - $200.

Assuming amazon sellers provide one year warranty with the A129, spending 1/3rd more for far superior pre + post sales support and hassle free warranty that lasts at least twice as long, IMO is worth it.
Click to expand...

You reviewed the A129 extensively. I suppose you didn't like it that much compare to the SG?
 
How is Square Trade on Amazon? It costs only $15 for 4 years for the A129
 
S2kyy said:
You reviewed the A129 extensively. I suppose you didn't like it that much compare to the SG?
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I don't have a SG dual-channel to compare, response was based on my experience with the SG9665GC and observations on this forum. A129 has been in my car for 5 months and barring a thing or two which aren't deal breakers, can't really think of anything I don't like. For the price it's a brilliant camera.

VIOFO makes good cameras but again, as per what I've observed their warranty and support needs revamping. Have seen many instances of people not getting a response even after days. Support could be a little more prompt and warranty needs to be standardised, warranty duration shouldn't be dependant on where you buy from.

Have nothing against VIOFO or their products, in fact I really like what they are doing. I'm critical because I see a lot of room for improvement and would like to see them improve.
 
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